Quote:
|
Originally Posted by steve@thaib
Tyrell Biggs was knocked out by Lewis in 3 rounds. We all saw what happened to Bruno, both fighters 'no mugs'.
When Tyson lost to Douglas in Tokyo (I think) he was on his 'bum of the month' tour, but he was there to be had as well. The fight before Douglas was Frank Bruno and it's a real shame that Bruno was not a slightly better boxer because he had a shot there.
Had Cus D'Amato not died I think that Tyson would have been around long enough to really cement himself in the 'hall of fame'. As things were left he was no more than a what-would-have-been. Sad really.
He was good and he could have been special, but like so many of them he ended up believing his own hype. Buster Douglas was just in the right place at the right time.
I think the comment about them all carrying on too long is spot on. There is no doubt in my mind that the health problems that Ali has now are down to the fact that he was getting pummelled well into his 40s.
The only champion of recent times who knew when to call it a day is Lennox Lewis. He was dignified, dedicated and beat everyone that was put in front of him at least once. He spanked Tyson like a naughty boy and was at the top of the tree for over a decade.
Lewis and Tyson never met in their prime, any more than Ali and Tyson did so all this is subjective. For me, Lennox Lewis brought some dignity to the sport at a time when it needed it, and some genuine talent.
I guess you are right there Ally, we disagree about this one. For me Lennox Lewis is the best heavyweight champion of modern times, for lots of reasons.
|
By the time Lewis fought him he was already finished at the top end of boxing, After Tyson beat him he lost his confidence and also something like the next 4 out of 8 fights, Up until then he was undefeated, The same as Tony Tucker, When Tyson beat him he was in his prime at 29 and still undefeated, Lewis had him aswell on the way down at 35, So like all the other fighters Lewis fought them on the way down, Hand picked that way
IMO the only reason he fought him was because he knew Tyson was long finished, And he knew he could beat him but even at that it took him 8 rounds to do it, Tyson was a bum at that stage and his only interest was money...
Seriously though, I just never took to Lewis from the start, Hated his style of boxing, Keeping his opponents far enough away to hit them with the jab, And then the minute they get close, He just locked them up in a bear hug like his life depended on it... I hate that kind of boxing... But each to there own...
One thing I or no else can never take away from him, Is that he was a 3 time champion of the world... He just would not be in the top few for me...